Module 2 – The Liturgy

Module 1 – What is an Altar Server

Module 2 – The Liturgy

The word “Liturgy” came from the Greek word “leitourgia” which means “public duty”, a
service, and a public organization. Its original meaning was some public action. When the word
was adopted by the Church to describe her public “services” of worship its meaning changed. In
Christian liturgy we are not talking about what we do but what God does. The Vatican council
points out so clearly, the liturgy is the action of Jesus Christ, an action of eternal worship in
which he involves us, the members of his mystical body, the church.

Kinds of liturgical observance:

Solemnity – the days of great importance to the Church, including all Sundays, this begin in the
evening of the preceding day, which has a special vigil Mass for some solemnities.
Feast – celebrated within the limits of a calendar day.
Memorial – a feast within the limits of the day which are either obligatory (M), or optional (m)
Ferial – a day where there is an optional memorial and the priest may select a mass of his
choice, unless otherwise directed by the calendar.
The Liturgical Seasons:

Advent – The beginning of the church’s calendar. This celebrates the two-fold coming of Christ
(Incarnation and Final Judgment). With Christian joy we celebrate his first coming. In Christian hope we
await his second coming. This season lasts for four weeks, including the 9 days of Simbang Gabi. The
season starts from the Sunday after Christ the King and ends the eve of Christ’s birth.

Christmas – The season which celebrates the birth of Christ, The Incarnation, and God became man.
This season has 2 focal points: 1) The Christmas Day until the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. 2) The
Solemnity of the epiphany until the feast of the Baptism of the lord.

Lent – A 40 days giving of ourselves to prayer and penance, to hearing the word of God and to acts of
charity. In this season we prepare for the Easter and recall the grace of our Baptism. It runs from Ash
Wednesday until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Easter Triduum – the three days of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. This is the highest
point of the year. This begins on the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and reaches until the Easter vigil.

Easter – This season has 50 days celebration of the rising of Christ from the dead. Starting from the
Easter vigil until Pentecost. These days are called as feast days but Easter Octave for the 8 days after
Easter Sunday.

Ordinary Time – A season of growth in our faith. This season has 2 parts: 1) the Sunday of the baptism
of the Lord until Ash Wednesday. 2) and the Pentecost Sunday until the Feast of Christ the King.

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The Liturgical Colors:

White – The color of Joy, and Glory of God. Used during the seasons of Christmas and Easter
and the feasts of the Lord, Blessed Virgin Mary, Saints who are not Martyrs, and the angels.
Violet – The sign penance and for mourning. Used during the seasons of Advent and Lent, and
for the Masses for the Dead.
Red – The sign of the blood of Christ or the fire of the Holy Spirit. Used for the Palm Sunday,
Good Friday, Pentecost, and the Martyred saints.
Green – The symbol of Good Harvest and Growth in our Faith. Used for the Ordinary Time
Rose or Pink – The symbol of rejoicing for a great feast coming. Used during the 3rd Sunday of
Advent and 4th Sunday of Lent.
Gold – The Symbol of Kingship of Christ to the World. Used during the feast of Christ the King
and other Special Feast.
Blue – The Symbol of the humbleness of Mary. Used for the significant Feast of Mary\

Duties and Responsibilities

 To be faithful in attending to their duties in serving at all liturgical celebrations;
 To arrive at least 30 minutes before their appointed duty. This is meant for the following
purposes:
 Preparation of all liturgical materials they use for celebration;
 Review final instructions especially for more complicated rites or ceremonies included in
special liturgical celebrations
 Personal and group prayers
 To be present during practice and training sessions for special celebrations with more
complicated styles for serving. In this case, the rule, No Practice-No service, must be
applied.
 To assist in other liturgical celebrations, such as baptisms, weddings, funeral masses or
blessings, etc.;
 To notify the Ministry coordinator if they will not be able to attend to their schedules.
They are also expected to look for their replacement during the said schedule.

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